SEGA Mulls Global Launch for Persona 5: The Phantom X
Will Persona 5: The Phantom X (P5X) grace American shores? SEGA's recent financial report hints at a potential global release for the popular gacha spin-off. The report indicates that P5X's initial sales are meeting expectations and that expansion into both Japan and global markets is under active consideration.
Currently in Open Beta, Limited Regions
Licensed by Atlus, P5X initially launched in a soft-launch capacity for mobile and PC in China on April 12, 2024, followed by Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, and Taiwan on April 18th. The game, published by Perfect World Games (South Korea) and developed by Black Wings Game Studio (China), is currently undergoing open beta testing.
Players step into the shoes of "Wonder," a high school student by day and a Persona-wielding Phantom Thief by night. Wonder joins forces with familiar faces and new allies to combat societal injustices.
Wonder's initial Persona is Janosik, inspired by Slovakian folklore and embodying a Robin Hood-esque persona. The iconic Joker from the main Persona 5 series, and a new character named YUI, also feature prominently in the cast.
P5X retains the core gameplay elements of the Persona series – turn-based combat, social simulation, and dungeon exploration – but introduces a gacha system for character acquisition.
New Roguelike Mode: Heart Rail
A recent gameplay showcase by prominent Persona content creator Faz highlights the new "Heart Rail" roguelike game mode. This mode bears resemblance to Honkai Star Rail's Simulated Universe, offering power-up choices, diverse maps, and rewarding stage completion.
SEGA's Strong Full Game Sales and Future Plans
SEGA reported robust sales for its "Full Game" category, including titles like Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth (1 million units sold in its first week), Persona 3 Reload (1 million units in its first week – Atlus' fastest-selling title ever), and Football Manager 2024 (9 million players).
The company announced a restructuring, creating a new "Gaming Business" segment encompassing online gaming, slot machine development and sales (SEGA SAMMY CREATION), and integrated resort operations (PARADISE SEGASAMMY). SEGA projects increased sales and profits for FY2025, with the Full Game segment aiming for 93 billion Yen (approximately USD 597 billion), a 5.4% increase. A new Sonic title is also anticipated for next year.
